Your Pigskins and Ponies Picks for Nov. 13-16

The reality of today’s society is that most would rather pull the handle on a slot machine or hope for a blackjack than formulate an opinion and back it with a wager.
Whether pure luck comes into play or not, winning is fun, but to me, it’s a lot more satisfying when you have an opinion, you’re right, and you get paid for it. 
Welcome to ABR’s Pigskins and Ponies column, where winners play!
Horse racing is my means to an end, and I love the sport like no other, but I admit it, like most of you on a Sunday afternoon in the fall, it’s hard to pull me away from my couch … and NFL RedZone.
I have a wanted sign in Vegas and am feared by fantasy football mavens nationwide, but when it comes to the college game, I chose to punt.
That’s where Derek Cooley comes in. The dude is a loaded gun of university knowledge.
Let’s kick off the football, spring the horses from the gate and pad our bankrolls!
Pro Pigskins – by Joe Kristufek
Last week, not good.
If not for a questionable Jimmy Graham push off/flop call, the New Orleans Saints would have won and covered.
Woulda, coulda, shoulda … I really am a horseplayer at heart.
The Pittsburgh Steelers laid an egg at the New York Jets.
The St. Louis Rams led in the second half at the Arizona Cardinals, only to lie down late.
It’s time to right the ship.
Pro Football Trifecta
Last week: 0-3 (.000); Season Total: 13-17 (.433)
Thursday, Nov. 13
Miami Dolphins (-5.5) vs. Buffalo Bills, 8:25 p.m. ET
This battle of 5-4 teams is a revenge game of sorts for the Dolphins, who lost to the Bills week two in Buffalo 29-10. Their three-game win streak was snapped on Sunday in Detroit, but the Lions are no slouch. Miami’s defense is one of the best in the league and the Buffalo offense is average at best. This is a critical game for the playoff hopes of both teams. Miami is at home and on a short week, the Dolphins’ up-tempo offense should be doubly dangerous.
Sunday, Nov. 16
Carolina Panthers (-2) vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET
Cam Newton was running for his life on Monday night against Philly. The good news is the Falcons are ranked 32nd against the pass, and most of the quarterbacks they’ve faced aren’t even in the upper half of the league. Atlanta’s only road win of the season came last week against the hapless Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Panthers have played one of the league’s toughest schedules to this point, with seven of their nine games coming against legit playoff contenders.
BOUNCEBACK GAME FOR CAM NEWTON?

WikiMedia Commons
Detroit Lions (+2) at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m. ET
Our Rams +7 play looked good against the Cardinals last week, at least for three quarters. Statistically, Arizona should not be an 8-1 team (5-0) at home, and eventually that’s going to catch up with them. Drew Stanton is a capable quarterback, but he’s still a downgrade from Carson Palmer, and the Lions pass rush is one of the best in the game. Despite playing a plethora of close games, the Cardinals rank 30th against the pass, and Detroit’s 9th ranked passing offense can take advantage.
College Pigskins – by Derek Cooley
Let’s briefly take a look at our plays from a week ago.
Some really tough breaks, and some really lop-sided games, Week 11 is not one to remember. 
Brutal.  
On to the next one ...
College Football Pick Nine – Week 12
Last week: 2-7 (.222); Season Total: 29-35-1 (.454)
Saturday, Nov. 15
Miami (+2.5) vs. #3 Florida State (8 p.m. ET, ABC)
Miami is peaking at the right time to catch the Seminoles in South Florida. For some reason, I think Miami is meant to win this game.
#6 Arizona State (-9) @ Oregon State (10:45 p.m. ET, ESPN)
That wasn’t an illusion we saw in the desert last weekend, the Sun Devils are for real. It’s been quite the opposite for the Beavers. 
URBAN MEYER

WikiMedia Commons

#8 Ohio State (-12) @ #25 Minnesota (noon ET, ABC)
Both teams had statement wins last weekend, but the Buckeyes trouncing of Sparty in East Lansing was just what Urban Meyer had drawn up. OSU is playing at an unbelievably high level right now, and could make the Gophers look pedestrian.
#20 Wisconsin (-6.5) vs. #16 Nebraska (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Camp Randall and the vaunted Badgers rushing attack will prove to much for the Huskers and hobbled star running back Ameer Abdullah.
#17 LSU (+1.5) @ Arkansas (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
For all intents and purposes, LSU should have beaten Alabama. Yes … THAT Alabama. Now LSU is underdog at Arkansas? C’mon man!
Northwestern (+18) @ #18 Notre Dame (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC)
Eighteen points is just too many to give the Wildcats, who really don’t have to travel very far. Although a down season, Pat Fitzgerald will have his team ready to give ND a solid 60 minutes.
#19 Clemson (-3) @ #22 Georgia Tech (noon ET, ESPN)
Freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson returns for the Tigers. The kid is a must-watch.
#21 Duke (-4.5) vs Virginia Tech (noon ET, ESPNU)
The Blue Devils will methodically roll to a comfortable victory at home against a Virginia Tech squad that has all but mailed it in.
Missouri (+4) @ #24 Texas A&M (7:30 p.m. ET, SEC)
The Tigers are coming off a bye week to play the all-of-the-sudden relevant Aggies on the road … where Missouri is undefeated and owns road Ws in Columbia, S.C. and Gainesville, Fla. Add College Station to that list in this SEC upset. 
Ponies – by Joe Kristufek
One of the best things about playing the races is, to make a profit, your top pick doesn’t always have to win, as long as you wager the right way.
Such was the case for us last week. Sure, Awesome Return won for us at Del Mar at odds of 8-5, but the real score came via the hooves of Hamp, who ran second on the Churchill grass at 37-1 and returned a hearty $23 to place and $13.60 to show.
Last week: 3-1-1-0 ($2 WPS * $18 wagered * $49.20 returned)
Season Total: 31-12-5-1 ($2 WPS * $186 wagered * $267.40 returned = $8.63 ROI) 
Saturday, Nov. 15
Churchill Downs – Louisville, Ky.
Race 7 - Commonwealth Turf Stakes (G3), Post Time 3:37 p.m. ET
#9 Highball (morning-line odds 10-1)
This 3-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid broke his maiden on the Churchill turf course and since there subsequently were appealing races at his Arlington home base, trainer Wayne Catalano decided to run him right back in the Grade 3 American Derby and Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes. Despite the inexperience, he put forth representative efforts in both of those races in advance of a sharp allowance score against older males at Kentucky Downs. He’s fresh for this and should fire another huge shot.
HIGHBALL (outside) FINISHING THIRD IN AMERICAN DERBY

Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
Race 9 – Mrs. Revere Stakes (G2), Post Time 4:36 p.m. ET
#7 Kiss Moon (morning-line odds 20-1)
She’s had her ups and downs this year, but this 3-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon has run three huge races on firm grass. She’s won two of her last three, with a soft turf clunker sandwiched in between scores. Her recent win and Indiana Grand was more impressive than it looks on paper, and in a very competitive race, she should offer us a square price.
Hawthorne Race Course – Stickney, Ill.
Race 6 – Buck’s Boy Handicap, Post Time 5:20 p.m. ET
#9 Super Soldier (morning-line odds 4-1)
This 4-year-old Lost Soldier gelding has won 4 of 5 starts this year, with his lone loss coming last time out. He didn’t make the lead that day, but still ran a big race, stalking and pouncing and digging deep in the final stages, only to lose a narrow decision to a legitimate foe. With cold temperatures in the forecast, if this race actually stays on the grass, it will be super firm, thus benefitting a horse who likes to hear his feet rattle.